Early childhood care and education (ECCE) has become a key concern for education policy-makers and stakeholders. There is mounting research evidence on its benefits for children’s capacities and educational achievements as well as its critical role in realizing equitable, quality education and lifelong learning. Addressing the themes of investment rationales, equity and quality, this book features various lessons from research and experience from different continents. It argues for reversing the trend of ‘investing against evidence’ so that children – and especially the disadvantaged ones – and societies can reap the proven benefits of quality ECCE.